Recently, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat released an unprecedented analysis titled “Rajya Sabha: The Journey since 1952” to mark the 250th session of the Rajya Sabha. This report encapsulates the significant legislative work and the key events in the history of Rajya Sabha, India’s council of states.
Rajya Sabha’s Legislative Productivity
An impressive tally of 3,817 bills has been passed by the Rajya Sabha up to its 249th session, the Monsoon Session in 2019. The most recent monsoon session was termed the most productive at an achievement rate of 103%. The term productivity, in this context, refers to the ratio of actual functioning hours of the House to the officially allocated working hours.
Representation of Women in Rajya Sabha
Over the years, the representation of women in the Rajya Sabha has seen ups and downs. Initially, in 1952, the number stood at 15, representing 6.94% of the total strength. By 2014, this figure had risen to 31 or 12.76%. However, a slight decrease was noted in 2019 with only 26 women members, making up 10.83% of the total.
Noteworthy Events in Rajya Sabha’s History
The legislative journey of the Rajya Sabha has been marked by unique events:
– Chairman Casting Vote: The only instance of a presiding officer casting a vote in the Rajya Sabha took place for the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 1991.
– President Rule approved by Rajya Sabha alone: On two occasions, the extension of President Rule in Tamil Nadu (1977) and Haryana (1991) was approved solely by the Rajya Sabha, as the Lok Sabha had been dissolved.
– Bills passed at joint sittings: Only three bills have been passed at joint sittings of the parliament, which are convened to break a deadlock between the two Houses.
Key Facts about the Rajya Sabha
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum Strength | 250 Members |
| State and UT Representatives | 238 Elected Indirectly |
| President’s Nominees | 12 Members |
| Election Method | By members of state legislative assemblies and electoral colleges |
| Membership Term | Six Years |
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha carries a few special powers under its purview. According to Article 249, it has the authority to enable the Parliament to legislate on subjects listed in the State List. Under Article 312, it can empower the Parliament to form new All-India Services that could be common to both the Centre and states.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024